Angelica Haggert
As the weather turns colder, the
inclination is to curl up under a blanket and
binge watch your latest season on Netflix with
a cup of tea. Fight the urge to be sedentary
this winter season - jump off the deep end
instead.
Okay, I don’t mean actually jump of the
deep end. But the winter months are a great
time to take up a new aquatic activity. From
solo laps to water walking to aquafit to
floating yoga, Windsor-Essex has plenty of
water offerings on tap - and what better time
to do it? It seems like getting in the water has
a been a popular theme over the last year in
Windsor-Essex.
The last few weeks of November I have
(like the swimming geek I am) watched the
construction progress of the new temporary
pool at the WFCU Centre. We’re home to two
competitive swim teams that have produced
2016 Summer Olympic medalists like Kylie
Masse. County towns like Leamington,
Kingsville and Essex have their own swim
teams. We’ve hosted FINA diving, celebrated
the success of local Olympians, and are set to
host FINA 25m World Finals.
We have a whole host of local pools to
jump into. The Vollmer, the Windsor
International Aquatic and Training Centre,
Gino A. Marcus, the WFCU Centre, the Essex
Recreation Complex and the F.T. Sherk
Aquatic and Fitness Centre in Leamington are
some of the many options available to
Windsor-Essex residents.
Along with just being something to do,
there are a number of health benefits to
getting moving in the water. Increased muscle
strength (without stress on sensitive joints),
Windsor International
Aquatic & Training
Centre
St. Clair College Aquatics
Atlas Tube Centre
Essex Recreation
Complex
F.T. Sherk Centre
Vollmer Recreation
Centre
Gino A. Marcus
YMCA - Central Park
Athletics
improved posture and balance, greater
mobility and flexibility, and improved
endurance are just a few of the many perks
related to exercising in the deep blue.
If you’re looking for a slow step into the
water, check out water walking. Done in the
shallow end, your feet never have to leave the
floor of the pool. It’s the perfect foray into the
water for someone who isn’t fully
comfortable or used to swimming. Moving as
quickly or as slowly as your abilities or the
class demands, you can get your whole body
into the workout, including using floating
weights to add an upper body workout.
If you’re up for the challenge, try an
Aquafit class. Hub editor Shelley and I went
into it thinking we’d do great … well, we did
it and that’s what counts! Traditionally, an
Aquafit class is comprised of older water
enthusiasts, so my high school swim team
self thought I’d do awesome. They’re a lot
more difficult than they look folks - trust me!
Bring a water bottle, and all the stamina you
have. It’s a great activity because you can put
as much or as little into it as you want,
depending on how hard you push yourself
through the exercises.
If you’re a solo style exerciser, snap on
the goggles and stop by any of the many open
lane swim opportunities in Windsor Essex.
The easiest stroke to get you started is free
style (what most people would call front
crawl), but you can also Google quick
YouTube videos for the other strokes.
The new YMCA at Central Park Athletics
offers a unique program. Called FloatFit, the
program tests your fear of making a splash,
plus your balance and core strength with
exercises performed on a floating yoga-style
mat attached to the laneways in the pool.
If you’re new to the water, or less sure of
your abilities, there are even opportunities for
adults to receive swim instruction. Check out
the offerings at the University of Windsor or
St. Clair College. Sessions typically begin in
January, but private lessons may also be
available.
Whether you’re getting your fins wet for
the first time or already swim like a fish,
indoor swimming can be just the activity to
help you conquer the winter doldrums. Join
me at the pool - I’m the one with the goggles!
Where are you exploring this autumn? Tell us about it!
Use the tag #ExploringMatters on Facebook and Twitter to let us know!
8 The HUB -December 2016/January 2017